Factoring Polynomials

You know how to DISTRIBUTE…

4(x + 3)

4x + 12
Factoring Polynomials is like doing
“Reverse Distribution”.

4 + 20
12x
(3x 5)
4
 You try it. Separate out the factors.
What is the LARGEST
number can divide
out of 45 & 18 ?
(45x + 18)
“9” and “(5x + 2)”
are FACTORS of
“(45x + 18)”
9 (5x + 2)
 Trog
thought
“Factors”
are just
numbers!!
“Factors” can be numbers…
45: 9 • 5

9 & 5 are
FACTORS of 45
“Factors” can be variables (letters)…

x 2y 4z 3: x • x • y • y • y • y • z • z • z

These are all FACTORS

Factors can also be a mix of variables
and numbers…

12x3y2: 2 • 2 • 3 • x • x • x • y • y

FACTORS: all the numbers

and variables that multiply up
to make the larger term
Here is the part that confuses many people,
because nobody tells them…
 Factors can also be
whole GROUPS!
What number can be
divided out? (12x + 18)
FACTORS !

(6) (2x + 3)
 Factor these!

(10x – 25) : ( 5 )( 2x - 5 )

(50y + 75) : (25)( 2y + 3 )

 You can even take out a common
variable…watch:

x + x)
(x 2 x = ( ) (x + 1)

UN-Distribute !
 How to Un-Distribute (factor):
MATH STEPS

(16x + 4) 1. Figure out the GCF

of both numbers & write
4 4 it.

(4) (4x + 1) 2. Divide out the GCF

from each of the terms,
and write the new group.

3. Check to see if you

are done.
 MATH STEPS

(3x2 + 9x) 1. Find the GCF and

3x 3x write it

2. Divide out the GCF

(3x)(x + 3) from each term, and
write the new group.

3. Are you done?

FACTOR BY GROUPING
Sometimes all the numbers don’t have a
GCF to use.
Just group up
( x2 + 2x)+(3x + 6 ) the terms and
undistribute
from each
group!

x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2)
 Now, group
( )
x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2) the
WHOLE
THING !!
Do you see
something
we can
UNDISTRIBUTE
again?
 UNDISTRIBUTE

( x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2) ) the matching

group.

Write what’s
(x + 2) (x + 3) left!

A C T O R E D !!
6a – 15a – 8a + 20
2 To make things easier,
make the minus in the
middle an addition.

(6a2 – 15a )+(-8a + 20) Now you can

group them

Next factor each group

(6a2 – 15a) + (-8a + 20) & finish up…